For Release: December 19, 2003
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-04-22

FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT WILL PROTECT EAGLEVILLE AND SURROUNDINGS

Work is now underway in southeastern Modoc County on a fuel reduction project designed to provide wildfire protection for property and homes near Eagleville and Emerson Canyon.

Crews from the Devil's Garden Conservation Camp are cutting juniper trees and removing brush in a mile-and-a-half long fuel break designed to slow the spread of fires. Crews will burn the debris piles on days when weather conditions allow for safe and successful burning.

"Fires have threatened the Eagleville and Emerson Canyon areas several times in the past decade, most recently in the Barber Creek Fire last summer," said Owen Billingsley, manager of the Bureau of Land Management's Surprise Field Office. "Recognizing the risk to communities and public lands, private landowners and government agencies formed a partnership to complete the fuel break."

In addition to removing flammable brush and juniper, crews are incorporating roads into the fuel break design because they can also be used as fuel breaks to help control the spread of wildfires. A fire-retardant green strip will be seeded through the center of the fuel break to improve effectiveness.

The project will also benefit wildlife. Perennial grass seeding will provide food sources and habitat diversity.

Billingsley said the fuel break is being constructed with visual aesthetics in mind. Large juniper trees over 200 years old will be left. Planners also used natural fire barriers such as rock outcroppings, as part of the fuel break design.

"The fuel break is on private land owned by the Grove brothers, Susan Aitkens, and Marge and Carol Scott, and their support has been instrumental," Billingsley said. "In addition to protecting private land and homes, the fuel break can help prevent wildfire from spreading onto BLM-managed public lands or onto the Modoc National Forest."

Key government partners include the Eagleville Fire Department, whose chief and assistant chief provided valuable assistance in the design of the fuel break. The BLM, Modoc County Fire Safe Council, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection also were key partners.

-BLM-

Surprise Field Office - 602 Cressler St. - Cedarville, CA 96104